The outbreak is in full bloom and, according to the last headline I read, its just getting started on the second wave in the US. I remember when stores, small businesses, and restaurants were first closed; I remember when the initial scare ran through my city, taking all the rubbing alcohol and toilet tissue with it. Now, three months into this pandemic, restrictions are lifting, and many are returning to work; I, on the other hand, am just getting started.

Right before my city went on lockdown, I was blessed with an internship at a local independent publishing company; but while I was there, I quickly realized it was not a company I felt comfortable working for because it was not a place that represented me—and likely never would. Being a Christian African American woman is something that has always come with its fair share of struggles. Being Christian isn’t cool anymore, and with the Black Lives Matter movement going on, I don’t think I need to explain the struggles of being a Black woman in this country. Literally, you can Google it. Which is sad.

In one month, I decided to quit my internship and start my own publishing company. I wanted to create a “safe space” for Christian readers/writers, and a place where African Americans would genuinely be welcomed—not to fit some diversity quota or to be trendy or to post angry tweets with a string of social justice hashtags attached (and then go on about my business a few months later—Black Lives What?).    

When businesses were closing left and right, people were being laid off in droves, and the stores were going out of stock, I decided this would be the perfect time to write a book and start a Christian publishing company.

So, how did I get this done in quarantine with a pandemic hanging over my head?

Well, as a Christian, all glory goes to Christ alone. I don’t say that out of duty, I say it because its true. I did absolutely nothing—in fact, I was so scared and confused and nervous the entire time, I can’t believe I’m able to write this article right now. Without God by my side, none of this would have been possible. Without God by my side, giving me the strength and ability to complete His Will for my life, I would still be stuck in that dead-end internship, convinced that I had to grind my way to the top.

As a young person (27-years-old, YES, that’s still young,) I’ve been told success wouldn’t come quickly. As a Black woman, I’ve been told success wouldn’t come easily. As a Christian, I know that success was handed to me at the Cross.

There is absolutely nothing you cannot do when Christ Jesus is the head of your life. It isn’t about how long you fast, how hard you pray, or how many hours a day you spend reading your Bible. It’s about recognizing how much God loves you. When you realize that you are so loved by God and that because you are loved you are covered under the Blood, you are under God’s grace, you are forgiven, you are accepted in the beloved—when you realize this, all the reading, the fasting, and the praying comes naturally. It is not a duty; it is an expression of love.

Ok, Valicity, that’s wonderful information, but HOW DID YOU START YOUR BUSINESS DURING A PANDEMIC AND A RECESSION?

My answer is that I believed God loved me.

I believed that because God loved me, He wouldn’t lead me astray when He spoke to me and told me to start this company. I believed that because God loved me, He would be by my side as I walked down this very scary path—a place I’d never travelled before. I believed that because God loved me, my business wouldn’t flunk; not now, not ever. Not because of the pandemic, not because of a recession, not because the market wasn’t profitable. I believed that God loved me too much to let me fail.

The ‘X’ in The Rebel Christian logo represents the X from the Hebrew culture. It is the *Hebraic symbol for Christ, and it stands as a reminder that Jesus Christ first became the center of my life and then, naturally, the center of my business. This publishing company belongs to God, and no matter where He takes us from this moment onward, Christ will remain at its core.

My friend, do not be ashamed to stand up for Christ or to live your life for Him. The world may persecute you, but God will reward you and His gifts are far greater than anything the enemy can offer. If you were encouraged by this article, I urge you to poke around and see what else you may find and enjoy. There are many articles on faith and Christian living in the Rebel Blog; if you’re interested in publication, check out our submissions page. Use the form below to subscribe and be notified of updates!

God bless!

*Some studies conclude the X is the Greek symbol for Christ; there are also studies that describe the symbol for Christ as being an X with a P crossed through it*